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UFC Confirms First Flyweight Bouts in Promotion’s History

For some time now, UFC President Dana White has stated that the organization would soon begin holding bouts in the flyweight division, and the first 125lb. fights in the promotion’s history have now been confirmed.

At a March 3rd, UFC on FX card, the promotion will begin the process of determining it’s flyweight champion, as Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will take on Ian McCall, and Joseph Benavidez will face Japan’s Yasuhiro Urushitani.

The winners of each bout will reportedly advance to the first ever UFC flyweight title fight.

Benavidez (15-2) will make the drop to 125 pounds having won three straights fights in the bantamweight division. Most recently, Benavidez worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Eddie Wineland in August.

The highly regarded McCall (11-2) will make his Octagon debut having won four straight fights, and is coming off a submission win over Darrell Montague in August.

Johnson (14-2), who was originally scheduled to face the aforementioned Wineland in January, hasn’t fought since he lost by UD to bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz in October. The defeat ended Johnson’s four fight win streak.

The Shooto champion Urushitani (19-4-6) will make his promotion debut having won five straight fights. In his last outing this past July, Urushitani stopped Yuki Shojo in the second round.

Details regarding the location of the upcoming March 3rd event wasn’t included in the announcement, however, the card is reportedly expected to take place in Sydney, Australia.